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| It later transpired that the PIRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the ], a ] paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators. | It later transpired that the PIRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the ], a ] paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators. | ||
| Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self-professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He |
Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self-professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He received fifteen life sentences, but due to the seven year delay in evidence collection, nobody else has ever been arrested in connection with the attack. | ||
| Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the ] area have demanded fresh inquires. | Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the ] area have demanded fresh inquires. | ||
Revision as of 00:01, 21 May 2006
The McGurk's Bar bombing was one of the first major atrocities of The Troubles, which occurred on the December 4, 1971.
A large bomb exploded in the doorway of a predominantly Roman Catholic bar named "McGurk's" on North Queen Street in Belfast, collapsing the building and killing fifteen people. In spite of increasing tensions and violence in Northern Ireland, this was the first major attack on civilians by either side, and was the precursor for many similar atrocities. Following the attack, riots and fighting broke out across Belfast, and over a dozen people were injured, including several soldiers and police.
Initial police speculation was that Provisional Irish Republican Army members had either planted the device as part of an internal feud between the OIRA and the PIRA, or that the bombers had stopped off for a drink in the pub, and their bomb had accidentally detonated. This theory meant that the explosion was never properly investigated at the time.
It later transpired that the PIRA had nothing to do with the attack, which was committed by members of the Ulster Volunteer Force, a Protestant paramilitary organisation. They had actually been seen setting the bomb and had claimed the bombing the following day, but were steadfastly ignored by investigators.
Seven years after the attack Robert Campbell, a self-professed UVF member, admitted being the getaway driver for the team who set the bomb, as well as an unrelated sectarian murder. He received fifteen life sentences, but due to the seven year delay in evidence collection, nobody else has ever been arrested in connection with the attack.
Today the site of McGurk's bar is now a memorial to those who lost their lives, but the community of the New Lodge area have demanded fresh inquires.